M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the homoeopathic complex formula consisting of , Echinacea angustifolia tincture, Baptisia tinctoria tincture and Thuja occidentalis D1 on circulating leukocytes. These medicinal plants have immune enhancing properties and an effect on leukocytes. Leukocytes play an important role in the body's defence system. 54 volunteers participated in a randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. An initial full blood count before treatment served as a base-line control for each volunteer. A total of 15ml of the medication placebo was administered over 3 hours. After the last dose, a further three blood samples were drawn at 90 minute intervals. Blood analysis included a differential leukocyte count. The trial was conducted over a single 6 hour period. The homoeopathic medication caused a decrease in circulating leukocytes, specifically lymphocytes. The efficacy of this medicationas an immunostimulant should be confirmed on a larger study sample.

M.Tech. (Homeopathy) / The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a mother tincture preparation of Vitex agnus-castus and a hornoeopathic 3x preparation of Vitex agnus-castus in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. A sample of 15 subjects suffering from premenstrual syndrome was selected. The subjects were selected according to the diagnostic criteria of premenstrual syndrome and certain other criteria requtred for the study. The subjects were given questionnaires to complete regarding their medical history and menstrual details. All subjects signed a consent form before participating in the study. The subjects recorded their premenstrual symptoms on a PMS chart over two months. After the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome was made. the subjects were then randomly divided into three equally sized groups by a neutral homoeopath. The first group received placebo medication. the second received a homoeopathic 3x preparation of Vitex agnus-castus and the third received a mother tincture preparation of Vitex agnus-eastus. Each subject was given Instructions on how and when to take her medication. At no stage did either the researcher or the subjects know which medication they were receiving. The subjects took their medication for three months. during which they continued to record their symptoms daily. After three months. the PMS charts were again collected and the scores compared to the pre-treatment scores. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to statistically analyse the results. The homoeopathic 3x preparation of Vitex agnus-eastus was found to bring about a statistically significant improvement in symptoms. while the mother tincture preparation of Vitex agnus-castus was not. The common name of Vitex agnus-castus used in homoeopathy is Agnus castus. For the sake of consistency. the name Vitex agnus cestus. as used in the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia. shall be used throughout.

Dissertation submitted in part compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homeopathy, Technikon Natal, Durban, South Africa, 2002. / The purpose of this study was to expand on the foundations laid by previous homeopathic research, using controlled agricultural experiments as an objective disease system. More specifically, these trials were to investigate and evaluate the efficacy of a fungicide (Previcur') against homeopathic preparations of a plant pathogenic fungus, Pythium, on seedlings infected with this fungus. Pythium is a worldwide problem and continues to cause substantial crop losses. Few chemical methods are available to control this disease and alternatives are being sought which are more cost-effective, safer for the environment and do not lead to pathogenic resistance. Relatively few trials using Homeopathy in plant pathology have been done to date. Furthermore, many of the earlier trials proved to have little scientific credibility, due to poor methods and insufficient data. More recent trials have shown interesting results, which have opened the doors for further investigation. This study compared the effects of Previcur\xAEagainst Homeopathic preparations of Pythium, on infected cabbage and cucumber seedlings. There were 28 trays for each crop and seven treatments per crop: four Homeopathic treatments (9CH, 15CH, 30CH and 200CH), two controls (one inoculated and the other un-inoculated) and Previcur'. The seedlings were treated twice weekly, using a 2.5ml drench per seedling, and were harvested three weeks after planting. The trial was run twice, in succession. Based on the nature of Pythium and the disease it causes, four parameters were measured in this trial. To assess the germination rate, the seedlings were counted three days after planting, to establish how many had broken the surface soil. To assess survival rate, the seedlings were counted at the time of harvesting. To assess growth, the seedlings were initially weighed wet (immediately after harvesting) and then dry (after 24 hours in an oven at 50\xB0C). The data was analysed by two methods: the General Linear Models Procedure (GLMP) produced ANOVA tables, which compared the variation between the four replicates of each of the seven treatments. The data was also analysed with the Student Newman Keuls (SNK) test, to determine the variation between the seven treatments. The results showed that Previcur®consistently produced the best or second best results, in terms of mean wet and dry weights, which was evident in the statistical analysis. However, a noticeable trend emerged with the 30CH treatment: it provided the lowest mean weights in seven of the eight parameters measured while showing evidence of consistent statistical significance from the other treatments throughout both trials. The implications were that this treatment had either enhanced the disease process or had suppressed plant growth. Student Newman Keuls (SNK) test, to determine the variation between the seven treatments. This trial raised issues regarding the effects of homeopathy on disease, as well as the internal mechanisms of disease control within plant structures. Further research into this area is encouraged, to further the platform already laid by statistically valid trials done thus far. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy at Technikon Natal, 1999. / The purpose of this placebo-controlled study was to determine the morbid symptomcomplex, in healthy people, produced by the administration of Sceletium tortuosum (a South African herb) in the 6 CH potency, so that it may be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathic principles. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The purpose of this double blind placebo controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of a homoeopathic complex (Avena sativa 03, Ignatia amara 04, Daphne indica 06, Nux vomica 06, Caladium seguinum 060, Nicotinum 060 and Nicotiana tabacum 060) in helping people to stop smoking with reference to the Goldstein typology of cigarette smokers in terms of the number of cigarettes smoked per day / M

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M. Tech. / Cervical Facet Syndrome is a condition characterised by neck pain and decreased mobility of the cervical spine (Bovim et al., 1994). It is essentially the dysfunction of the posterior joints in the neck where muscle hypertonicity causes the ligaments to shorten (Gatterman, 1995). There is a high prevalence of Cervical Facet Syndrome in industrialised countries leading to a loss in productivity and costly expenditure in terms of treatment (Jordan et al., 1998). The aim of this research study was to assess the efficacy of treatment with injectables of the Anthroposophical medicine Disci comp. cum Argento on the symptoms of Cervical Facet Syndrome. These symptoms include pain and a decrease in range of motion. Pain was assessed using two questionnaires, namely the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (Annexure D) and the Vernon Mior Neck Pain Disability Index (Annexure E). Range of motion was measured using the Cervical Range of Motion Goniometer (Annexure F). This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty participants, male and female between the ages of 18 and 40 who had been pre-diagnosed with Cervical Facet Syndrome were recruited to participate in the research study. The study was conducted over a period of three weeks. On day one, participants were requested to complete a Consent Form (Annexure B), a Participant Profile (Annexure C), and the two questionnaires used to assess pain. Range of motion was measured by the researcher. The group was then randomly divided into two groups with 15 participants per group. The experimental group received subcutaneous injections of Disci comp. cum Argento and the control group received subcutaneous injections of saline. These injections were administered by the researcher and repeated three times a week for two weeks so that each participant received a total of six injections. A final assessment without treatment was completed in the third week. The two questionnaires and range of motion measurements were repeated at the third, sixth and seventh or final assessment. . The results of this study indicated that although both the remedy and placebo groups showed improvements, there was no significant difference in these improvements between the groups for the results obtained for the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain, Vernon Mior Neck Pain Disability Index and measurements of flexion, left rotation and left lateral flexion. There was however, significant differences in improvement between the visits in favour of the remedy group for measurements of extension, right rotation and right lateral flexion.

M.Tech. / The homoeopathic medicine Arnica montana is often prescribed in cases of trauma, before and after surgery and in cases where there is bleeding. Many conventional medical practitioners, however, do not advise its use for the above complaints due to the herbally prepared Arnica montana mother tincture containing coumarin derivatives which are said to have an anti-coagulant effect and cause a potential risk of bleeding. The aim of this particular study was to investigate the in vivo effect of the complex remedy Arnica montana composing of potencies 6C, 30C and 200C on coagulation and bleeding. This study forms part of a three part in vivo study to determine the effect of homoeopathic Arnica montana in various potencies on blood coagulation. The effect of Arnica montana on blood coagulation was evaluated by measuring the Bleeding Time (BT), activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) and Prothrombin Time (PT). This is a double blind, placebo controlled trial with a total sample group of eighty healthy participants between the ages of eighteen to thirty five. As this study forms part of a three part study the total sample group was shared. Twenty participants were allocated to the placebo group and received 20% ethanol. Twenty participants were allocated to the experimental group and received the complex homoeopathic preparation of Arnica montana 6C, 30C and 200C in 20% ethanol. The Bleeding Time was measured by a trained medical technologist and blood samples underwent coagulation tests comprising of aPTT and PT. The study was conducted over a period of two weeks at the UJ Doornfontein Campus Homoeopathy Health Centre. After two weeks another venous sample was drawn by the phlebotomist and sent away for the same coagulation studies as described above. The technologist again measured the Bleeding Time. Results obtained from the Prothrombin Time, activated Partial Thromboplastin Time and Bleeding Time tests pre- and post medication were compared and v analysed. Analysis of data was done using SPSS 15.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Results showed that complex remedy Arnica montana 6C, 30C and 200C had no significant effect on blood coagulation and bleeding in vivo.

Submitted in partial compliance with requirements for Master`s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. It consists of a group of disorders that are all typified by the presence of one or more of the following: nasal itching, congestion, sneezing and rhinorrhoea (Wallace et. al., 2008). Allergic rhinitis can result in decreased quality of life, decreased sleep quantity, obstructive sleep apnoea and impaired performance at work and school (Blaiss, 2010: 375-380). According to Small and Kim (2011) allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common allergic condition and one of the most common of all minor afflictions. It affects between 10- 20% of all people in the United States, and the prevalence of the disorder is increasing. This may result in significant impairment to quality of life, sleep and work performance (Small and Kim 2011). A therapeutic goal for patients suffering from allergic rhinitis is to prevent or minimise symptoms, using treatment with minimal effects or no side effects and of reasonable expenses, so that patients may maintain a normal life style (DiPiroet al.2002). Homoeopathy is a complete system of medicine developed by German physician and chemist, Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). It is based on the following theories, first the doctrine of signature that disease is curable by those drugs which produce effect on the body similar to the symptoms of the disease “similia similibus currantur”; second that the effects of the drug are increased by giving it in a minute dose, which is obtained by dilution or trituration to an extreme limit and thirdly the notion that chronic disease are only manifestation of suppressed itch or psora (Ernst 2016). Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief Spray® is commercially available as a homoeopathic nasal spray. It is based on the principle of "let likes cure likes" or the Law of Similars. According to the company, this product is 100% natural, and contains active ingredients with non-drowsy effects which relieves allergic congestion, itching and runny nose, and it is preservative free (Similasan Corporation 1999-2015). Similasan Nasal Allergy ReliefSpray® mist gently stimulates the body's natural ability to relieve allergic congestion, itchy, runny nose and rhinitis caused by pollen, pet dander, dust and mould spores. Furthermore, the Similasan Nasal Allergy ReliefSpray® mists is non-habit forming and will not cause reliance or a rebound effect. The ingredients are: Cardiospermum 6X, Galphimiaglauca 6X, Luffa operculata 6X, Sabadilla 6X (SimilasanCoorporation 1999-2015). The aim of this double-blind randomised controlled study is to determine the efficacy of the homoeopathic Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief Spray® in the management of allergic rhinitis. Outcomes were monitored using questionnaires and a daily log book. This was a quantitative study which included thirty participants suffering from allergic rhinitis. Participants volunteered to participate in the study, were over the age of eighteen and consented to the procedure of the study. Participants involved in the research study were randomly divided into treatment group and placebo group. The treatment group received Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief Spray® and the placebo group received a saline nasal spray. The research study was conducted over a period of four weeks at the Durban University of Technology Homoeopathic Day Clinic. Participants were instructed to rate their symptoms before, during and after taking treatment (Appendix, C and D). The parametric test used in this study was Independent Samples T- Test. Non-parametric tests included ANOVA and Pearson chi-square. Rhinorrhoea, sneezing, itching of the eyes and nasal congestion showed a statistically significant results but some of the participant’s symptoms deteriorated after a period of improvement. This research determined that Similisan Nasal Allergy Relief Spray ® didn’t have a significant effect in treating allergic rhinitis in terms of the CARAT questionnaire. / M

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1999. / The action of homoeopathic medicine on physiological processes is poorly understood. It is hypothesized that homoeopathic potencies of Sarcolactic acid could have an effect in increasing the metabolism of lactate in the body, lowering its concentration change due to exercise, and thus reduce exercise fatigue. There is a need to investigate whether a homoeopathic remedy made from a physiological chemical can influence the action of this chemical in the body. Much has been done on the influence of homoeopathy on toxins, and their detrimental effects, but little is known of its effects 0(1 metabolic by-products and the influence of hqmoeopathy on their regulation / M